Rare Lancaster bomber to do VE Day flyby

A bomber plane will do a flyby over a library at the weekend, as part of celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day.

Perton Library, on the edge of Wolverhampton, will have a flypast from a Lancaster Bomber on Saturday at around 13:30 BST.

VE Day commemorates the end of fighting in Europe in World War Two on 8 May 1945, after Nazi German forces surrendered to the Allies after nearly six years of conflict.

A military procession to mark this year's 80th anniversary took place in London on Monday, and there will be events across the West Midlands throughout the week.

Perton Library is inviting the public to watch the flyby there on Saturday.

The Lancaster B1 PA474, which will do the flyby, is one of only two remaining airworthy Lancaster Bombers out of the 7,377 that were built, according to the county council.

Perton is on the outskirts of Wolverhampton but falls under the remit of Staffordshire County Council.

Wolverhampton Central Library will also host a coffee morning on Thursday to mark VE Day.

At the event, staff will wear red, white and blue and there will be a display of books related to the war. All proceeds will go to the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association.

A local branch of the Royal British Legion is also due to hold a remembrance service at the Wolverhampton Cenotaph on St Peter's Square on Thursday.

Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.